We happen to love a procedural – but you all know that. FBI: International is one of our favorites and sometimes we don’t know why, but then you have an episode like Cowboy Behavior and we are reminded why.
FBI: International has a lot of heart interjected into each and every episode. Every storyline reminds us of just how human all these characters are. They remind us that jobs can affect anyone and somethings you will never forget.
While the promos for Cowboy Behavior made me think something completely different than what was going on, I will respect the fact FBI: International quickly said, you have no idea what is happening. And hey, it’s also ironic to me that this episode aired on the same day that Andrew Tate and his brother were arrested. Why? Because the case revolved around a Tate like character who, like that douche made me want to vomit because he’s just the absolute worst.
But what this episode also reminded me of is that the fly team will do anything to get justice and solve cases.
And this episode also made me really, really like Special Agent Amanda Tate. Like kudos to her and the nameless people in Budapest’s Fly Team office that I genuinely have no idea who they are.
At first, I didn’t think that I was going to like the changes to the show, but well, I am going to just say that I am loving them. I do love that the show has turned from a team that felt somewhat isolated from others to on par with FBI.
Amanda Tate was the one to find this gross man, who was kidnapping, drugging, and trafficking women. No one seemed to be able find this man, but she wouldn’t give up. While I don’t know how she did it, I was in awe. She’s proven herself as an important part of this team and well, I would like to know more about her. I would absolutely love to see her in the field.
I mean I would also love to see more of Forrester in the field. Because as the team goes out, he stays in the office to coordinate. I will be really pi**ed if they make him like Jubel. Yes, we all know that Jubel is not my favorite, but Forrester in the field is a force.
However, with him staying back we are getting to see a stronger and in charge Vo, and for that I will not be mad.
When Forrester asks Raines to look after Powell on the mission, I have to admit that I thought that it would turn out differently than it did. I think that is a good thing to be surprised by what a show is giving me, because otherwise I would be bored.
And I don’t want to be bored.
I want to learn from every moment that I am watching TV about the power of good storytelling.
The team heads to Bulgaria to track down the douche (I don’t even remember his name, cause every single time I saw him, I just got angry and ignored his name). They are assigned a Bulgarian representative to help them, but of course, that representative seems too good to be true.
And the douchebag is always one step ahead of them, which makes you know that there is a mole in the office. But when the team is actually able to arrest him and get it to stick, I have to say, I didn’t see what was coming. Powell manages to lock himself in a room with the guy and a fight ensues.
Powell seems as though he’s the type of agent that is a lifelong agent. He seems as though he’s the type that doesn’t want a settled down life, he was wants to experience this life of making the world a better place and arresting the bad guys. We learn that he has never forgotten a case that he worked, where he had to stand back and watch girls get exploited. He is haunted by the past and this case feels like he can redeem himself. He can finally save someone and that for him is everything that he needs.
He gets into a fight because he wants to save the girls that douchebag is exploiting and abusing. Though I know that his fight is wrong, but I also know that I cheered him on. I was like thank you for fighting for these girls who don’t have anyone else to fight for them this hard.
I didn’t like his way of dealing with things, but I understood it. I mean, I then did understand though why the Fly Team was going to get kicked out of Bulgaria. I also understand how angry Vo got and I applauded her for it.
But the real hero of the situation, as per the norm, is Smitty. Totally not saying that the rest of the team doesn’t do that also, but Smitty is always willing to use her Europol influence to save any member of the team.
She goes balls to the wall.
Eventually, the team is able to break the mole that is in the Bulgarian office and is able to get to the girls and save them. They are able to get them home. And I cried. Yes, I cried, because I know this is happening all over the world and there are so many people that need help.
These girls needed them to be able to go home.
Smitty is able to get the Bulgarian office to not press charges against Powell and saves his career. She uses her Europol influence to save Powell.
Which leads to Forrester and Powell having a talk about what happened and how Powell can’t get the past case out of his head. Seeing this vulnerable moment between the two and seeing this side of Powell was very important to the overall story. But also, it was a moment that we got to see a different part of Powell and it was something that I really think the show needed.
So yes, FBI: International, you’ve reminded us why you’re our fave and we appreciate that.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Raines showing his scar and being like this requires you give me answers… all for this. Play that I saved your life card.
- Powell loosing Vo’s respect is something I think will be really hard for him to deal with
- Smitty telling Powell not to talk – applauded. I tell you, Smitty is the MVP all the time and we need to appreciate her more